The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-04

yer when they first came tibet ye
needn't mind the story asin her bus
band, tibet it was bad enough. Well
I'll tell il now. This woman was a
rich mans only child, and this cusS
made love ter her and married her
agin her fathers consent. lie disin.
herited her, and then her husband
abused her because she didn't have
any money. She lived with him till
last fall, aud he kicked her out Of
the house and took another woman
to live with. She came here, and
yer know the rest
Then he stopped again and went
on, No, yer don't know the rest, and
| might as we'll tell it as anyone
Last night | was down there aud the
doctor told me- she was dyin'. She
wanted ter talk ter me, SO i went in
and sat by the bed. She gave me a
letter ter read, which was from q
lawyer in England, and it said her
father had died, aud the will said
thet as she had married agin his
wishes he cut her of without cent
but it was all ter 60 to the wee baby
gsl he he'd seen in her arms the year
after she was married. Then il said
tibet her father iorgaye her and sent
her his dyin' blessin'. The woman
was dyin' herself, yet she smiled
when l read tibet part.
Jacks voice dropped lower, and
he spoke slow -,
And | promised her that | would
look after her little gal az | would il
she we're my own, and | kissed the
dyin' woman when | promised. It's
tn first time my lips hev touched o
woman since / kissed my own dead
mother. And if | don't keep my
word and take ther best o care O.
Their little one, may never see either
one in the next world.
Jacks head sank down on his
arms, and he cried like q kid. There
we're tears in other eyes aud sorrow
settled over the boys. They had all
had mothers. During the recital Of
the story Jacks face aud manner be.
trayed that it was more than friend
ly interest that had taken him to the
and Of the hopeless love he
had borne for the dead woman. Aud
in each heart there was q responsive
sympathy TO his grief.
After an effort lie raised his head
and spoke again.
1.-The doctor unrolled . little
white bed guilt, and showed me the
tiny babe tibet was born last night,
but tn little Teller was dead. There
was an ugly black mark on his tenn
pie thet showed where tibet brute
husband struck her. The baby
dead, and the mother sleepin', too.
And il the father ever comes ter
claim that little gal she left he will
be dead man, so help me Godl'
Jacks hand was raised aluit and the
fash from his eyes showed he meant
business, and would do just what he
said.
"0ne by one the miners passed out
until the saloon was empty aud Jack
returned TO the shauty.
THE next day but one was the fu-
neral. Diamond Jack held the hand
Of the little gal and led her TO the
coffin TO take last look at the face
Of Der dead mother.
When the first shovellul o. dirt
fell on the coffin Jacks face got az
white as the snow that yet fingered
on the ground. The miners filed
out Of the little graveyard, aud left
the lone woman asleep at last where
LIES sorrows would worry her no
more.
"A few weeks later a stranger
lounged into the saloon and inquired
for 3 woman and a little gal, his wife
and daughter he said. Diamond
Jack sprang TO his feet aud walked
quickly up TO him.
"'lf you wish TO see her, come
with me. he said abruptly, leading
Their way and walking to Their door.
1 can tell yer all yer want ter
know.
Several of the boys started ter
follow, but, with a wave Of the hand,
Jack motioned them ter remain. To.
ward dusk we walked out TO the yard
where the dead woman was buried
aud found the stranger lyin' across
The low mound with q bullet Ia his
heart.
Diamond Jack carried an ugly
wound in his shoulder, and walked
into the room quietly. We didn't
ask questions, for We could CUES, Al
All Of il
ale came up 10 the table and told
The story. Il gave him a fair show,
aud lot him do the oounlin'. Yer
know the rest. lie isn't iit 20 lie on
her grave, but there was whore he
was standiu'. lilo came 10 take the gal
away from the mother, because he
heard about her gcttin' the money.
But he didn't get her. Now, | will
send the little gal 20 school away
somewhere, aud won't be afraid Of
him turnin' up aud stealth her. |
promised Id take care O. her, aud |
hSye.
In q month she was gone. We oil
missed the bright face and golden
curls, but Jack felt il more than
lie worked harder every
day. and a year Afterward struck
the big mine up there, aud quit. lie
put IL in operation aud left the camp
the wealthiost man In the State al
the time.
I'VE saw him many times after.
ward, but never asked him any
questions regarding the girl. II wa,
4 week ago we got the wedding in
yitatiOns.
well, Jack Is keeping his promise
TO take care OF the baby girl, aud
there's no better man ever washed
dirt that could do IL.
The old miner who told the story
sat down, aud a dead silence reigned
over the table. Then the glasses
clinked merrily, aud the guests de
parted.
Too rssny 20 Please che Cs,r.
Pail Mall GsIstts.
A IL. -. ~